As we approach the end of 2014, the fifth
consecutive year of austerity, contraction
and cutbacks, we are entitled to wonder
what 2015 will bring for us, as nurses, midwives,
public servants and citizens.

If we begin by attempting to be positive,
2015 promises a stabilisation of the
health budget (at a very low level), a slight
reduction in taxation leading to a marginal
increase in take-home pay, and the probability
of discussions, with government,
in our demand for restoration of pay cuts
and reduced working hours. However,
any positive feelings must be tempered
by the likelihood that any proposals from
government or public service management
will be marginal and inadequate.

A further positive in the 2015 Service
Plan is the effective lifting of the recruitment
moratorium and the commitment to
increase the number of nurses/midwives
in 2015. This, however belated, is very
welcome, particularly as we face competition
from the NHS, which is seeking to
recruit 12,000 nurses immediately.

If we look at the negatives – and this
is undoubtedly dominating households
– 2015 also promises further attacks on
living standards. If we look outside the
health service, we will have new water
charges, the possibility that the local
property tax will increase as house values
rise, and probable increases in utility
charges. These will erode any increase in
take-home pay resulting from a marginal
reduction in taxation.

In relation to the health service budget
and service plan for 2015, these offer,
at best, the continuation of service at
2014 levels. As we all know, this has
been wholly inadequate and has resulted
in a severe increase in overcrowding,
waiting times and contractions of community-
based services. The latest trolley
watch figures, for November, covered on
page 10, make for stark reading for those
who formulate and implement policy
for our health service. The increase in
overcrowding, resulting in over 7,000
admitted patients being left on trolleys
in November, cannot be ignored and cannot
be corrected by high level reviews,
strategies or working groups. A significant
increase in funding, sustained over
an extended period, that allows closed
beds to be open, community services to
be restored and additional staff to be
recruited is required.

The challenge, which I believe has been
underestimated by policy makers and the
HSE, is where we will find the additional
nurses/midwives required to restore safe
staffing levels right across our services.
There has been a complete underestimation
of the brain drain within nursing and
midwifery. It will not be possible to simply
reverse this in the short-term.

The new year will also see the Taskforce
on Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix, established
last September, issue its first report to the
Minister. This report has the potential
to bring forward evidence that supports
a level of minimum staffing required to
optimise patient care in an environment
conducive to best nursing practice. The
implementation of this report will be a
key measure of the Minister’s recognition
that the current nursing workforce is not
optimal and care is being compromised.
A separate report, on midwifery staffing,
is also due in 2015. This must also lead to
additional midwives being employed, in
order to meet the Birthrate Plus standard.

While nurses/midwives are overworked
and demoralised, now more than ever, we
must remain united and solid. This will
ensure that we can extract, from 2015,
every single resource possible, both as citizens
and health professionals, to improve
our lives at home and at work. This is our
challenge and I believe we are equal to it.

On behalf of the president, Executive
Council and staff can I take this opportunity
to wish each and every member, and
your loved ones, a happy and peaceful
Christmas and may good health follow
you throughout 2015.